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A Change in Living Arrangements?

Source: The Care Guide

Determining whether or not an elderly loved one may require a change in living arrangements can be difficult for a variety of reasons. The following is list of signs or indicators that a change in living arrangements of an elderly loved one might be appropriate.

• Less active lifestyle and tendency to stay at home
• Exterior of home is less well maintained than historically
• Change in communication quality or frequency
• Fewer invites to their home or a change in visit patterns
• Unopened bills and other mail
• Unkempt home and laundry or dishes piling up
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blackened pots or other damage to environment
• Bruises or other signs of trauma from falls or difficulty navigating around the house
• If you're experiencing concern for their well-being, they probably need some help

Talking to family about seniors' housing can be a sensitive topic. This can make it a difficult conversation to broach, given the emotional issues involved. Family members often experience feelings of guilt, anger and sadness, while the elderly loved one may experience loss of autonomy, loss of privacy and feelings of helplessness. How the discussion is handled can make a huge difference to the outcome.

The following is a list of things that the family and the elderly loved one alike should consider when discussing a potential change in living arrangements for an elderly loved one:

• Focus primarily on the individual's comfort and not the impact on the family.
• Keep emotion out of the process as much as possible. Stick to facts and practicalities.
• Bring a trusted, objective third-party into the discussion to moderate, such as a health care professional, a religious figure or a community care case worker.
• Try not to hold the conversation after some kind of an 'incident' as emotions tend to be high; choose an appropriate time and a neutral location.
• Designate one family member as the 'point person' for the discussions and for follow-up action that needs to be taken.
• Consider short-term, overnight trial-stays at residences of interest as a way to "test the waters".
• Recognize that residences have changed from those of the past; residences of today are bright and filled with amenities to satisfy your comforts and needs.
• Plan ahead - discussing seniors' housing options with family members will be much easier if some thought has already been put into it.

Uxbridge Township boasts hundreds of kilometers of trails running through our communities and our rural, forested lands.   Working in cooperation with Conservation Authorities and volunteers, a number of major trail systems pass through the Township, including the Oak Ridges and Trans Canada Trails, and trails within 8,000 acres of conservation lands.  Enjoy a trip through the historic Town of Uxbridge, using one of our many and accessible Town Trails.  

 Trail Capital of CanadaUxbridge Township has recently received federal designation by Industry Canada as The Trail Capital of Canada, and with good reason!  Uxbridge Township welcomes visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and many benefits of our beautiful trails.   

Trail Etiquette

We welcome you to enjoy our Trails, and to please remember and respect the following points of etiquette:

•-          read the description for the trail you are planning to enjoy and follow the guidelines

•-          stay on the marked trails and do not take shortcuts

•-          keep pets on a leash and clean up after them

•-          respect the private property of residents living along the trails

•-          stay to the right on a trail, and pass on the left

•-          be courteous to fellow trail users

•-          bike riders yield to both hikers and horseback riders; hikers yield to horseback riders

•-          leave all trees, leaves, wood, rocks and plants for others to enjoy

•-          remove all litter and leave the trail cleaner than you found it

•-          respect the sounds of nature and avoid loud noises

Urban Walking Poles - New!

Urban Walking Poles are lightweight, handheld poles that add stability and added fitness benefit to your next walk on the trails.  Burn more calories and reduce stress on the body during a walk with urban poles.  People of all ages and fitness levels benefit from this fun and social form of exercise.  Urban walking poles can be used on any Town or Countryside Trail, at any time of year.

Urban Walking Poles are now available for rent from the Township of Uxbridge through Uxpool.  Rental fees are:  $5.00 per day; $10 per weekend; $15 per week.  Deposit required. 

Geocaching

The ultimate high-tech treasure hunt!!  Geocaching is a great outdoor activity where you search for hidden containers using only a handheld GPS with geographical coordinates.  It is enjoyed throughout the world by people of all ages, and is a fantastic way to explore places that you have never been before.  Kids particularly enjoy the idea of finding a treasure at the end of a hunt!

Most geocaches contain a log book to record all of the visitors and some small toy trinkets. Remember to bring along some trinkets of your own, as the etiquette is to replace any trinkets you take with one of your own so that the treasure will always be replenished. There are over 850,000 geocaches hidden around the world, including a number of geocaches hidden on the trail systems of Uxbridge Township.  For detailed information and a free membership, log on to http://www.geocaching.com/ for more information.  

Links to Other Local Attractions

Uxbridge Local Heritage Attractions

Local Events

Foster Memorial

Lucy Maud Montgomery Society

York-Durham Hertiage Railway

Countryside Trails

Enjoy the beautiful outdoors on one of the many trail systems found in the Uxbridge countryside. Most trails are recreational and multi-use, with great opportunities for walking, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross country skiing and limited snowmobiling.  See the information and links below to view specific details and maps for each trail system. 

To see an overview map of the Countryside Trails in the southern half of the Township, click here.

South-east Uxbridge

(south of Durham Road 21, east of Brock Road)

Oak Ridges Trail          http://www.oakridgestrail.org/

The Oak Ridges Moraine is a unique geographical formation that stretches from the Niagara Escarpment eastward to the Trent River watershed.  The Moraine passes through some of the most beautiful countryside in Southern Ontario, and contains the headwaters of more than thirty rivers draining into Lakes Simcoe and Ontario.  The Oak Ridges Trail extends through Uxbridge Township, from York/Durham Line to Lakeridge Road.  The detailed Oak Ridges Trail Guide can be purchased via their website, or by visiting Blue Heron Bookstore in Uxbridge.  Also on their website are details of upcoming group hikes, meetings and other information. 

Trans Canada Trail      www.tctrail.ca

The Trans Canada Trail is a 21,500-kilometre recreational trail winding its way through every province and territory, from the Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic Oceans. When completed, it will be the world's longest recreational trail, linking close to 1000 communities and over 33 million Canadians!  This trail enters Uxbridge via the abandoned CN rail line from Lindsay, traverses the Uxbridge urban area, then heads south through Durham Forest lands, the Glen Major Forest and to the Uxbridge-Pickering Townline.  There are exciting plans to take this trail off-road as it exits the town.

South-west Uxbridge

(south of Durham Road 21, west of Brock Road)

This area, known as the West Duffins Headwaters area is developing quickly, although formal trails are yet to be opened.  Plans are underway to extend trails in the Goodwood Tract and into the 7,200 acre federal Green Space lands with exciting potential future links to the Rouge Park and the urban Greater Toronto Area.  Click on the overview map for more details.

North-east Uxbridge

(directly south of the Town of Uxbridge)

There are numerous trail opportunities in this area, where the countryside meets the town.  Check out the Town and Vicinity overview map and the Countryside Preserve map for further details.  South of the Countryside Preserve is also a connection to the Duham Regional Forest tract, with access and parking off Wagg Road.

Uxbridge Town Trails

The Uxbridge Town Trail System is a network of trails in the urban area that also connects to the Countryside Trail systems to the south. The aim of the Town Trails is to help residents appreciate the beauty of the town of Uxbridge, to link communities together, to encourage healthy outdoor exercise, and to foster an appreciation of the natural environment.

Uxbridge Township, along with conservationists, volunteers and private partners, under the umbrella of "Uxbridge Naturally, have developed a comprehensive network of "in town" trails and larger trail systems close to town.  Historical information is provided by the Uxbridge Historical Centre.

Volunteers!  The Town Trails are monitored and maintained by a team of volunteers.  Do you enjoy walking the Town Trails?  Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?  Please contact the Township of Uxbridge at 905-852-9181 or info@town.uxbridge.on.ca

The Town Trails as well as the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve - 140 acres of rolling meadowland, woodlands and ponds on the edge of town - are listed below. See the Town and Vicinity overview map for details of this entire trail network.  By clicking on the following links, you can access detailed information about each trail including a descriptive brochure giving information of local or historical interest, together with a more detailed map and information about accessibility.

Uxbridge Countryside Preserve  (6 km) covers 140 acres of rolling meadowland, woodlands, wetlands and ponds, and an abundance of flora and fauna.  It is situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine and contains key natural heritage features.   Enjoy the spectacular view of the Township from on top of Observation Hill.

Barton Trail (2 km) circles the Barton Farms community and passes by Herrema Fields with its playground and covered picnic area, through the residential streets, along woodland sections and by a pond.  The Trail connects to the Trans Canada trail, which runs along a former railway line.

Butternut Trail (1.5 km) is a loop circling around the Butternut Village community.  The paths are all paved, with the exception of the section around the pond.  The route takes you through residential areas, including the original farm homestead and the magnificent Butternut tree that gives the development its name. 

Ewen Trail (3.4 km) covers a variety of countryside and urban scenery, including three ponds, a section through Elgin Park, a route through some thickly wooded areas, and a walk along streets containing some of Uxbridge's most historic homes.

Historic Trail (2.4 km) winds through the oldest parts of Uxbridge. Six historical information plaques use historical photos and brief texts to tell about Uxbridge in "the old days".

Maple Bridge Trail (1.5 km), sponsored by Mason Homes, runs along the path of a stream, through lush woodlands with a number of wooden bridges.  It is a single path, with a crushed stone base and has an easy connection to Quaker Trail.

Quaker Trail (2.2 kms.) winds around the Quaker Village residential area in northwest Uxbridge, passing through some of the most historic areas of the town's past, with access to the Uxbridge Historical Centre (museum). Features a pond, playgrounds and a wide grassy area for picnics and play.

South Balsam Trail (2.5 kms.) provides a variety of outdoor experiences, with about half of the trail winding through forest and newly reforested fields, and about half along town streets. There are benches for peaceful relaxation and access to a pond and a children's playground.

Wooden Sticks Trail (2 kms.) - a mixture of wooded, street and park environment. The route goes through a dense wooded area, through Elgin Park, with nearby play areas (and washrooms), and through the Estates of Wooden Sticks housing development. A path gives access from the Shobrook Gardens residence for seniors.

New!  Indoor Trail - enjoy a walk on Uxbridge's new "indoor trail" located in the corridors of Uxbridge Secondary School.  A nominal membership fee of $10.00 allows you to enjoy a snow and ice-free walk every Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  Get your membership and further information at Uxpool, or directly at USS on Tuesday evenings.  Walking only, no strollers, children walk free of charge and must be accompanied by an adult.  Indoor Trail is open from November to February.

The Uxbridge Town Trails

Click here to download The Uxbridge Town Trails

The Uxbridge Township Trails

Click here to download The Uxbridge Township Trails